FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2002

VA Hospitals Score High on Independent Quality Surveys

WASHINGTON – In one of the health care industry's top measurements of quality, the hospitals of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) scored slightly higher than their non-VA counterparts.

"These scores confirm what many veterans already know -- VA provides some of the best health care in the nation," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "They also confirm that VA provides top-notch medical research and superb training to health care professionals."

The scores were based on surveys of VA health care facilities by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). JCAHO's hospital accreditation system is nationally recognized by the health care industry as a major, independent review of health care quality.

VA's mean score was 93, nearly two points higher than the average for non-VA hospitals nationwide.

"America's veterans have earned the best medical care that this country can provide," Principi said. "The JCAHO scores are one more indication that we're living up to that obligation."

VA hospitals have been surveyed by JCAHO since the independent reviews began in 1952. Surveys are conducted every three years and cover all 163 VA hospitals on a rotating basis. Each of the 58 VA hospitals surveyed in 2001 received a full, three-year accreditation. All of VA's hospitals are fully accredited by JCAHO.

VA’s Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacies (CMOP), which dispense more than 65 million prescriptions a year to VA facilities and veterans, were accredited by JCAHO for the first time in 1999 and are scheduled for resurvey in 2002. Six of the

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seven CMOPs achieved Accreditation with Commendation. VA was the first mail prescription service to be accredited by the Joint Commission.

During the hospital accreditation process, JCAHO surveyors evaluate the credentialing of medical staff; nursing care; medical records; patient services, monitoring and evaluation; laboratory and ambulatory care, among others.

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